Rachael Carpani passes away at 45: How did the Australian actress die? A look at her career and net worth

Rachael Carpani, McLeod’s Daughters and Home and Away actress, has passed away ‘unexpectedly’ due to chronic illness at age 45, her family announced on Monday (December 16, 2025). Her sister shared a statement from her parents on Instagram stating that she had “unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness in the early hours of Sunday, 7th December”. The exact cause of death has not been made public yet.

Carpani was a renowned Australian actress and was best known for her role as Jodi Fountain on the long-running Australian TV series McLeod’s Daughters. The role earned her nominations for two Logie awards. Recently, she became part of Home and Away, playing mysterious Summer Bay newcomer Claudia Salini.

McLeod’s Daughters star Bridie Carter posted an emotional tribute to her former co-star after the news broke on Monday, describing her as the “baby of the MD family”.


“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December. The funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th December with close family and friends. The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements,” Bridie Carter.

Rachael Carpani’s career and net worth

Born on August 24, 1980, in Sydney, Carpani rose to fame playing Jodi Fountain on the long-running Australian drama McLeod’s Daughters from 2001 to 2009.

After earning accolades in Australia, Carpani expanded her career to the United States. She appeared in American television shows such as NCIS: Los Angeles, The Glades, and Against the Wall. She also acted in films like Triangle and later returned to Australian TV in Home and Away in 2024.

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As of 2025, Rachael Carpani’s estimated net worth was between $1 million and $2 million USD, according to online platform Business Upturn. The outlet reported that she earned majorly from long-term roles on television and appearances in US series and films.